Anderson Environmental Pty Ltd is pleased to announce we have a staff member who has recently become Accredited as a Biodiversity Assessment Method Assessor, (BAM Accredited Assessor) under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 which came into force on the 25th of August 2017. As Biodiversity Assessment Method Accredited Assessors (BAM Assessors) we can undertake Biodiversity Development Assessment Reports (BDAR’s), Biodiversity Stewardship Site Assessment Reports (BSSAR’s), and Biodiversity Certification Assessment Reports (BCAR’s). All assessments undertaken under the BAM must be signed off by an Accredited BAM Assessor in accordance with the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage has prioritised the accreditation for the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) for people who were previously registered Biobanking Assessors. The implementation of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2017 and the Biodiversity Assessment Method for Biodiversity Certification and Biodiversity Offsets is the most significant change in Ecological Assessment legislation since we have been undertaking Ecological and Flora and Fauna Assessments since 1992. This legislation and assessment method replaces Biobanking.

Transitional periods apply to the implementation of the BAM requirements. Local developments in the following western Sydney local government areas will have 12 months from 25 August 2017 to submit an application under the previous legislation.
Camden;

City of Campbelltown;

City of Fairfield;

City of Hawkesbury;

City of Liverpool;

City of Penrith; and

Wollondilly.

Local developments in all other areas will have three months from 25 August 2017 to submit a development application under the previous legislation.

We provide Accredited BioBanking, Biodiversity Certification and FBA Assessors under the repealed Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, and can assist with ongoing projects that fall within the transitional arrangements of the legislation. We can also assist with strategic planning for future land purchases for development and/or Biodiversity Stewardship Site Assessment Reports for the sale of credits. Our experience in Bush Regeneration and Ecosystem Restoration also enables us to assist clients in the management of Biodiversity Stewardship Sites by undertaking the management works required.
Call us to find out how we can assist you with any ecological assessments, flora and fauna assessments and the new 5-part test (the 7-part test has now been replaced with the 5 part test) under the BAM, by calling 1300 302 507.

Contamination is a potential threat to the value of your property and any potential purchaser in Australia of property should have a Preliminary Site Investigation (Contamination Assessment) undertaken prior to purchase. Generally Australia has somewhat lagged behind areas like North America in the Due Diligence assessment prior to purchase of real estate. The recent articles in the Sydney Morning Herald indicate to the public how widespread contamination can be and its potential impacts to properties hundreds of metres from the point of contamination. The potential for human health impacts can be high due to dangerous chemicals in the soil or watertable from direct contact or vapour intrusion into residential buildings. We at Anderson Environmental Pty Ltd recommend a thorough assessment of the potential of contamination before a property is purchased as the potential clean up and health costs are high.

As Environmental Consultants in Sydney we undertake Contamination Reports for a wide range of clients for a wide range of purposes. Often these are requested by councils for sites with a history which may indicate there is potential for contamination or for sites with an unknown site history. Whilst some clients see this is unnecessary it is important to understand that the potential risk to human health can be high and that it is a legislative requirement for government authorities to be cautious about such risks.

For Preliminary Site Assessments and Detailed Site Assessments consent authorities are required to adhere to the requirements of legislation including SEPP 55 and the National Environmental Protection (Assessment of Contamination) Measure.
For risk management and due diligence, we highly recommend that our clients undertake at least a Tier 1 Preliminary Site Assessment (PSI) before they purchase any land. This is because contamination is often not obvious when purchasing and once that purchase is made then the contamination and its resulting clean up cost is most often the responsibility of the new owner. Such a liability is not something that any purchaser would knowingly accept and the clean up costs can be in the tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars in many cases and for more highly contaminated sites in the millions. Due diligence is highly important with any purchase and this is an area which is often overlooked.
Across North America these assessments are undertaken for almost every loan written by a bank for any property which has a potential risk of contamination and banks often will not loan a purchaser money if there is contamination present. We recommend all land purchasers consider a Preliminary Site Assessment review.

We are pleased to launch our new website. Anderson Environmental provides a comprehensive suite of environmental assessment and consulting services designed to meet Australia’s strict environmental regulations while saving clients money and significantly reducing negative environmental impacts. Call today for a free quote1300 302 507
or send us an email